Theodore “Thor” Emory Jones has had a storied showbiz career. He’s auditioned for Piers Morgan (Britain’s Got Talent, Series 4, 2010), he’s had a bit-part in Casualty (as a menacing window cleaner), and now — the apex of his career, no, the apex of his LIFE — he’s had a guest appearance on Dynasty, alongside the transatlantic nations’ sweetheart, Dame Joan Collins.
That is, the same Joan Collins that blocked him on Twitter. This is one of many struggles in Thor’s life (alongside his psychologically-complicated relationship with an off-stage nanny): that he sort of killed Dame Joan’s cat. Thus sets the mentally fascinating background for writer-performer Billy Walker’s portrayal of Thor, an incredibly entertaining and eccentric performance with a real knack for audience interaction.
It’s his script that’s the stand-out here, however: a wonderfully dense hour of dialogue, Thor mostly recounting himself to himself. An extremely niche showbiz reference here, an exasperation with modernity here, and a charming vocal quirk here. The references truly never stop coming, and when you find yourself lucky to understand them, they are invariably hilarious. A particular highlight includes Thor tangenting about Michael Ball and Alfie Boe’s fondness for a “Together” album (and each other): “Together at Christmas, Together at Home… just get a French Bulldog and MOVE TO BRIGHTON!”
Further details include Thor’s Amazon “Alexis” speaker, his tendency to mispronounce famous names (“Michelle P-feiffer”), and his Laura Ashley-does-Brexit furnishings. Joan Collins Blocked Me on Twitter is an impressively elaborate show, which doesn’t seem to care if its audience catches — or indeed understands — everything it’s attempting. Regardless, Walker is a joy just to listen to, banger after banger of a line peppering his script (“When Kenneth Branagh comes a-knocking…”).
Walker is an absolute trouper throughout this hour-long performance in 27 degrees, too, suffering through an impressive rotation of heat absorbent costumes, and never once flagging in the famously non-air-conditioned Greenside venue. Incredible!
Ultimately, Joan Collins Blocked Me on Twitter is an ornate and engaging hour of comedy: just don’t expect to ever fully comprehend it.
The show is running until 23 August at Jade Studio at Greenside @ George Street.
Buy tickets here.
Image courtesy of Grant Terzakis, provided to The Student to use as press material.